Sen. Joy San Buenaventura

Maddy summarySCR 129 is a non-binding Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Health to initiate education, outreach, and vaccination drives at schools with vaccination rates below 50%, prioritizing those below 30%. It directs these efforts to begin at the start of the 2025-2026 school year and requires collaboration with the Department of Education to develop a long-term plan. The resolution also mandates a report to the legislature by early 2026 detailing funding needs and administrative steps for implementation. This resolution affects Hawaii public, charter, and private schools with documented low vaccination rates, as identified by state health data.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 194) requests Hawaii’s Department of Transportation to study whether eliminating the state’s safety inspection requirements for commercial vehicles (like trucks and buses) would be feasible and advisable. It directly affects motor carriers operating in Hawaii, which must comply with current inspection rules. The study would examine if inspections are effective, cost-efficient, and necessary, given Hawaii data showing vehicle failures are a minor factor in accidents compared to speeding or distracted driving. The Department must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026, including any proposed legislation. This is a procedural request for analysis, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a bill) passed by the Hawaii Legislature urging the U.S. President not to defund federal law enforcement programs in Hawaii. It cites that Hawaii received $3.8 billion in federal grants in 2023 for law enforcement programs like anti-drug initiatives and victim assistance, and warns that defunding would hinder responses to threats like human trafficking and gun violence. The resolution formally requests the President maintain this funding but has no legal effect.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 219) requests Hawaii's Department of Transportation to study whether to eliminate the state's safety inspection requirements for commercial motor vehicles (like trucks and buses). It directs the DOT to assess the feasibility and advisability of this change, considering that vehicle component failures contribute minimally to accidents in Hawaii - where alcohol, speed, and distracted driving are larger causes. The study must be completed and reported to the Legislature by late 2025, before the 2026 session. This resolution does not change current laws but initiates a review of existing inspection rules.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires all health insurers in the State, excluding Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 97) urges Hawaii's counties to adopt local zoning rules requiring agricultural landowners to sign and record declarations acknowledging state and county land-use rules and penalties for not following them. It directly affects owners of agricultural-zoned land across all counties, aiming to increase active farming on the nearly 2 million acres designated for agriculture but currently underutilized (only ~14% used for crops or grazing). The resolution references existing Maui County practice and encourages counties to also share resources about farm mentorship programs to help landowners start farming. It is not a binding law but a recommendation to address Hawaii’s agricultural land underuse, as highlighted by state data showing most agricultural land is not actively farmed.

Maddy summarySCR 116 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii's counties to adopt local zoning ordinances requiring owners of agricultural-zoned lands to sign and record declarations acknowledging state and county agricultural land use regulations, penalties for noncompliance, and available farming resources. It cites data showing only 8% of agricultural land is actively used for crops and 18.5% for grazing, with significant underutilization across the state. The resolution also encourages counties to provide information on farm apprenticeship programs to help landowners transition to active farming. This non-binding resolution does not create new law but recommends policy actions to increase agricultural land use.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 108) urges Hawaii's Department of Health to launch education, outreach, and vaccination drives at schools with vaccination rates below 50%, prioritizing those below 30% starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It directs the Department of Health to partner with the Department of Education to develop a long-term plan addressing vaccine hesitancy and to report progress to the Legislature by early 2026. The resolution does not create new laws but requests specific actions to improve school vaccination rates based on current data showing concerning gaps. It targets all Hawaii public, charter, and private schools with low immunization rates, using proven community engagement models from other states as a framework.

Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after 1/1/2026 to provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 190) requests the Hawaii Department of Education to implement a pilot program at James Campbell High School. The program would train students to become veterinary technicians while using animal-assisted therapy to support students facing emotional or behavioral challenges. Key provisions include mandatory training (e.g., from Hawaii Humane Society), strict supervision, safety protocols, and liability coverage for all participants. The resolution does not mandate the program but seeks to establish it as a test model that could expand to other schools if successful.